Interspecific tree named ‘Flavor Fusion’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree. The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. Vigorous, upright tree growth.   2. Heavy and regular bearer of fruit.   3. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   4. Fruit with attractive red skin color.   5. Fruit with good handling and shipping quality.

Botanical classification: Interspecific Prunus species.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofinterspecific tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of proprietary interspecifics and apricottrees, which are known to us, and mentioned herein, 19M42, 326LC131,43GK21, 31Z635, 38GH76, 20Z62, 4G1180 and the Interspecific ‘Bella Sun’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,817).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was originated by usfrom crosses between the following species [Prunus salicina×(Prunussalicina×Prunus armeniaca) and Prunus armeniaca]. The present variety isa first generation cross between the proprietary interspecific seedlingwith the field identification number ‘19M42’ and ‘Bella Sun’Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,817). The seed parent (19M42) wasdeveloped by us from crosses of the following proprietary interspecificseedling selections 326LC131, 43GK21, 20Z62, 31Z635, 38GH71 and 4G1180.We budded a large number of these seedlings to older trees of‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented) to induce earlier fruit productionfor evaluation. Under close and careful observation, one seedling, whichis the present variety exhibited desirable fruit and treecharacteristics and was selected in 2007 for additional asexualpropagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecifictree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree, which includesplums, plumcots and apricots in its parentage, is of large size,vigorous upright growth and a productive and regular bearer of medium tolarge size fruit with very good flavor and eating quality. The fruit isfurther characterized by having attractive red skin, firm, red flesh andhaving good storage and shipping quality. In comparison to its seedparent (19M42) the fruit of the new variety has darker red skin colorand is 12 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to its pollen parent‘Bella Sun’ Interspecific (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,817) the fruit of thenew variety has red skin and flesh color, compared to yellow and hasglabrous skin compared to pubescent. In comparison to the commercialInterspecific ‘Amigo I’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,165) the fruit of thenew variety has red flesh compared to yellow and red flesh, is larger insize and is 8 days earlier in maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety.

The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 6 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of 6 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., withcolor in accordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and width            for economical harvesting of fruit.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, tree growth of approximately 1.5 to 2            meters the first growing season, varies with soil type,            fertility and cultural practices.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 40°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing necessary for            desirable market size. Fruit set varies with climatic            conditions at bloom time.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate fruit set 4 consecutive years. No            alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self-sterile, pollinator required.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase sunlight to center of tree to enhance fruit color            and health of fruit spurs.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 650 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average circumference 52.1 cm at 25.4            cm above ground on a 6 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 6/2 to 10YR 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 11.4 cm at 1.2 meters            above the ground. Crotch angle approximately 40°, increases            with heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Size — medium. Average number 97 in a 25.8 sq cm            section. Average length 2.2 mm. Average width 1.4 mm. Color            varies from 7.5YR 4/8 to 10YR 5/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 5/8 with 5R 2/6 where            exposed to the sun. Old growth varies from 5YR 2/4 to 5YR            5/2, varies with age of growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 107.4 mm. Average width 58.2            mm.        -   Form.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Doubly serrate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight            indentations over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower            surface relatively smooth, except for small ridges created            by midrib and pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Medium length. Average length 13.6 mm. Average            width 1.9 mm. Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous.            Color varies from 5GY 5/8 with 7.5R 3/4 where exposed to            sun.        -   Glands.—Type — globose. Size — small. Average length 0.9 mm.            Average diameter 0.6 mm. Average number 4, varies from 1            to 8. Located on base of the leaf blade and upper portion of            the petiole. Color varies from 10Y 6/6 to 2.5GY 6/6.        -   Stipules.—Average number 1. Average length. 10.6 mm. Edges —            serrulate. Color varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 5GY 7/6.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 4/8 to 5GY 3/6. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 4/4 to 7.5GY 4/4. Midvein color            varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 7/6.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 8.0 mm. Average            diameter 5.0 mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 10.7 mm. Averaged width 0.8 mm.            Color varies from 2.5GY 7/6 to 2.5GY 7/8. Surface —            glabrous.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Number of buds per spur.—Average number 11, varies with age            of spur.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Feb. 22, 2010. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 4, 2010, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Small. Average height 10.6 mm. Average diameter 16.6            mm.        -   Petals.—Size — small. Number — normally 5, alternately            arranged to sepals. Average length 9.3 mm. Average width            6.7 mm. Form — orbicular to slightly elliptical. Margin —            sinuate. Color — N 9.5/ (white). Both surfaces glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Size — small. Number — normally 5, alternately            arranged to petals. Average length 2.6 mm. Average width            2.7 mm. Form — triangular. Margin — entire. Color — upper            surface varies from 2.5GY 6/8 to 5GY 6/8. Lower surface            varies from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6. Both upper and lower surface            glabrous.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 25. Average filament            length 7.3 mm. Filament color N 9.5/ (white). Anther color            5Y 8/10.        -   Pollen.—Self sterile, pollinator required. Color varies from            5Y 7/10 to 5Y 7/12.        -   Pistil.—Normally one. Surface — glabrous. Average length            8.9 mm. Stigma height approximately 0.9 mm below anthers.            Color varies from 10Y 8/8 to 2.5GY 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Heavy aroma.        -   Color.—N 9.5/ (white).        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Average number 2, varies from            1 to 4.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 12.4 mm. Average width 0.8 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 6/8. Surface — glabrous.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 7, 2010.        -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 15, 2010, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Medium to large. Average diameter axially 54.3 mm.            Average transversely in suture plane 60.1 mm. Average weight            127.8 grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil,            amount of thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Nearly smooth, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Very slightly lipped.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Base.—Flat to slightly retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 5.1 mm. Average diameter 6.6 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 16.8 mm. Average            diameter 1.7 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 5/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial interspecific            varieties.        -   Aroma.—Moderate.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average 11.7°, varies slightly with amount of fruit            per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 5R 4/2 to 7.5R 4/10. Stone cavity varies            from 7.5R 3/8 to 7.5R 3/10.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Bloom.—Moderate amount, complete coverage.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 7.5Y 9/4 to 10Y 7/4.            Overspread with 7.5R 3/10 to 7.5R 2/8.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Medium. Average length 25.1 mm. Average width 19.8 mm.            Average thickness 9.9 mm.        -   Form.—Ovoid.        -   Base.—Relatively flat, varies from flat to rounded.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 2.3 mm.        -   Surface.—Slightly pitted throughout. A small groove on each            side of suture.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extended further from suture plane.        -   Ridges.—Small narrow ridges extending from base to apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5YR 6/6 to 7.5YR 5/8 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 12.8 mm. Average width            9.2 mm. Average depth 4.9 mm.        -   Form.—Ovate.        -   Viability.—Partially viable, some embryos not fully            developed.        -   Skin.—Color varies from 10YR 6/8 to 2.5Y 8.5/4.-   Use: Dessert.    -   -   Market.—Local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage for 2 weeks at 38°    to 42° F. without shriveling, internal breakdown of flesh or    appreciable loss of eating quality.-   Shipping quality: Good, showed minimal skin scarring or flesh    bruising during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecifictree, substantially as illustrated and described.